Apparatus for producing castings.



C. H. BIERBAUM. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CASTIMS.

APPLICATIONFILED MAR. 19. 1909. 1,138,443. lutvntml May 4, 1915.,

4 SHEEIS -SHEET C. H. BIERBAUM.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CASTINGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. H. BIERBAUM.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CASTINGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19, 1909.

C. H. BIERBAUM.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CASTINGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19. 1909.

Patented May 4,1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N "Jim" 1 IIII W .m.. L" hufil l"IIIIIIIIIIIIIII--I------ CHRISTOPHER H. BIERBAUM, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CASTINGS.

Application filed March 19, 1909. Serial No. 484,566.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER H. BIER- BAUM, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a newv and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Producing Castings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatusfor producing castings ugder pressure and has the object to provide "a method and'an apparatus whereby castings may be produced quickly, economically and perfectly and also at a much higher pressure and temperature and with less labor than has been possible.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of 4 sheets: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved castingmachine whereby my 1 proved method may be practised. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, showing the catch which holds the valve of the pressure controlling device inits closed position. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a sectional top plan'view, on an enlarged scale, ofpart of a molding flask and the means for conducting the molten metal or liquid material into the mold. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the machine taken centrally through the ladle and the -molding flask. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section, on an enlarged scale, in line 6-6, Fig. 5, showing part of .the automatic valve mechanism whereby the cavity of the mold is connected with the air exhausting conduit. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section of the machine taken centrally through the ladle or melting pot. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, of the valve for controlling the pressure medium. Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section I in line 99, Fig. 8.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The main frame of the machine may be variously constructed but that shown in the drawings is suitable for the purpose and comprises an upright standard, post or pedestal A and a bifurcated head B arranged at the upper end of the standard and pro vided on opposite sides with bearings b, 6 Between the bearings of this head is arranged a vertically swinging retort, ladle or Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1915.

meltingpot C in which the metal or other material to be cast is melted and from which it is poured into the molds. This ladle is preferably constructed in the form of a hollow sphere which is elongated at right angles to its axis of rotation and is provided at its front end with a spout or nozzle d through which the metal or other material to be melted is introduced into the ladle and through which the molten material is discharged or poured from the interior of the ladle into the molds. This ladle is constructed of refractory material which is ,used for lining blast furnaces or the like and which is capable of resisting the destructive effects of very high temperature.

The ladle preferably consists of an upper section 0 and a lower section 0 which are united or joined about midway of the height of the ladle and which are reinforced by a metal shell E fitting the outer side of the ladle and serving to prevent disintegration of the ladle. This shell is constructed in sections 6, 6 corresponding to the sections of the ladle and these shell sections are united by a connecting band or strip F extending across the joint between the shell sections and secured to the adjacent edges of the shell sections by rivets f, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7 or by any other suitable means. The nozzle or spout d of the ladle is preferably formed wholly on the upper section 0 of the ladle and is so located that when the ladle is turned upwardly with its major axis arranged horizontally, or nearly so, the nozzle or spout will be arranged above the center of the ladle, as shown in Fig. 5. In this position of the ladle the metal is introduced into the same through 'its nozzle (Z and the melting of the same within the ladle is elfected, the amount of material to be melted within the ladle being so determined that when the ladle is in its upturned position the level of the liquid metal will'be below the lower side of the passage in the nozzle. The metal to be melted is introduced into the ladle through the discharge nozzle d either in an unmelted condition or it may be first melted in a small extraladle and introduced by the latter into the main ladle 0 either directly or by means 0f a tube provided for this purpose. Surrounding this ladle and separated therefrom by an intervening pressure conduit or space g is a jacket G which is of substantially the same general form as the ladle and is preferably constructed of two like sections 9 g which are joined vertically midway of their width and connected by means of horizontal bolts 71. passing through cooperating flanges H on the inner edges of these jacket sections, as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 7. This jacket is made of a material whichis capable of withstanding very high ressure such for instance, as manganeseronze. Centrally on its front side the jacket is provided with an opening i through which the nozzle of the melting and pouring pot or ladle projects and is supported at this point. On diametrically opposite sides of the jacket and ladle horizontal trunnions or pivots J, J are provided which support thejacket and ladle and connecting parts for vertical rotation. These trunnions are preferably made separate from the jacket sections and secured thereto by. means of bolts or screws j passing through the flanged inner ends of the trunnions and into the adjacent parts of the jacket sections. The trunnion J is journaled in the bearing band the trunnion J is journaled in the bearing 6 The metal or other material from which the castings are to be made maybe introduced through the nozzle or mouth of the ladle either in a solid or unmelted condition or the same may be previously melted in a suitable furnace provided for this purpose and poured into the ladle to facilitate the casting operation. While the material is within the ladle the same is retained in a molten state and in a highly heated condition so as to be best suited for producing castings rapidly and perfectly. The preferred means for thus heating the material in the melting pot or ladle which are shown in the drawings, comprise a burner K secured to the upper front part of the jacket and projecting downwardly and rearwardly through co-inciding openings [6, 7:, k in the jacket, shell and ladle immediately above the nozzle of the latter. To this burner a suitable combustible element or fuel is supplied such as gas, gasolene or other hydrocarbon, this fuel being conducted to the burnerby means of a fuel supply pipe or con duit containing a hand valve Z and a check valve P, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7.. This fuel supply conduit preferably comprises a rigid section L having a stud l which is arranged axially in line with the journals of the ladle and turns in the outer part of the bearing 6 in which the trunnion J is j ournaled and also a flexible section L whereby the fixed section of the fuel supply conduit is connected with a stationary supply. By this means the ladle may be turned vertically, either into its melting or pouring positionswithout disturbing the connections between the heating burner and the fuel supply. The flame of the burning fuel at the outlet of the burner is directed downwardly by the latter into the upper portion of the ladle and upon the metal therein whereby the ladle and metal are constantly maintained in a highly heated condition best suited for producing castings in molds under pressure.

On its front side the jacket of the ladle is provided with a face plate M which is secured to the jacket by means of screws m, as shown, or otherwise, and which is provided with an opening through which the outer part of the nozzle projects. The outer end of the latter and-the front side of the face plate M are preferably flush, as shown in Fig. 5. The construction of the mold or flask into which the metal is poured from the ladle or melting pot may be variously constructed, that shown in the drawings, for example, being suitable for the purpose and comprising lower and upper sections N, N which areprovidedin their opposing faces with one or more mold cavities n of the articles to be cast and also a sprue n arranged at the rear end of the mold and connecting with the several mold cavities. In the rear ends of the mold sections is arranged a mold face plate 0 which is adapted to bear against the ladle face plate. The mold face plate is provided with a funnelshaped conduit or opening 0 which connects the passage .of the nozzle or mouth with the sprue of the mold and conducts the metal from the ladle into the cavities of the mold. The inner side of this funnel opening preferably has a lining 0 of refractory material, as shown in Fig. 5.

The two sections'of the mold or flask are detachably connected to permit of opening the same and removing the castings therefrom. The connection for this purpose shown in Fig. 1 is suitable and consists of two hooks 1) each of which is pivoted at its lower end on one side of-the lower mold section and detachably engaged at its upper end with a pin 12 on the upper section.

The lower. mold section and the mold face plate are both secured to a movable support whereby the mold and this plate may be moved rearwardly for engaging the mold face plate with the ladle face plate preparatory to pouring the metal from the ladle into the mold or the mold and plate may be moved forwardly away from the ladle face plate preparatory-to opening the mold and removing the castings therefrom. The preferred form of support for this purpose consists of a horizontally swinging arm Q to the free end of which the lower mold section and the mold face plate are secured on their undersides and which is pivoted at its opposite end by a vertical pin 9 to a lug g on the left trunnion J of the ladle and jacket. For

convenience in shiftingthe supporting arm its free end is provided with a handle 9 as shown in Fig. 3.

The mold and its face plate are firmly held against the ladle and its face plate during the pouring operation, this being preferably effected by the means which are shown in the drawings and which comprise a yoke consisting of 'two longitudinal arms R pivoted at their" rear widely separated ends on opposite sides of the ladle face plate to swing vertically and having the front ends brought closer together, and a cross piece r connecting the arms R near their front ends, a longitudinally movable follower composed of a tubular front section 1' which is guided in an opening r in the cross piece and a rear section 1' screwed into the front section and adapted to bearagainst y the front side of the mold, a spring 1" surrounding the front follower section and bearing at its opposite ends against the cross piece and a shoulder r on the front follower section and a vertically rotatable cam or eccentric r pivoted on the yoke between the front ends of its arms and having a handle 1' whereby the same may be engaged with or disengaged from the front end of the follower. After the mold supporting arm has been swung rearwardly for coupling the mold with the ladle, the yoke is lowered until its follower is in line with the mold and then the cam is turned in the direction for moving the follower rearwardly against the mold and causing its face plate to bear firmly against the ladle face plate.

A tight joint between the face plate to prevent leakage is preferably produced by a packing ring 0 arranged in a vgroove in the ladle face plate around the nozzle and adapted to be engaged by the mold face plate, as shown in Fig. 5. While the parts are in this condition the ladle, mold and connecting parts are turned in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, so that the mold is lowered and the mouth or nozzle of the ladle is brought below the level of the molten metal in the ladle and the metal is caused to flow from the ladle into the cavitics of the mold. After the metal has been thus poured into the mold cavities, the mold and ladle are again raised into the position shown in Figs. land 5 in which the nozzle or outlet of the ladle is above the level of the molten metal. The mold may now be moved forwardly away from the ladle and emptied of the castings therein preparatory to producing another lot of castings.

While the mold and ladle are tilted into the pouring position, a high pressure is preferably brought to bear upon the metal entering mold, so as to cause the same to properly fill the cavities therein and produce perfect castings. This pressure is preferably produced by means of compressed air or a similar medium which is I supplied to the pressure space between the in the upper central part of the ladle nozzle, as shown in Fig. 5. The preferred means for conducting the pressure medium into the pressure space of the ladle and mold consists in making the left trunnion J of the ladle hollow and connecting the outer end of. the same by a rotatable joint or coupling 8 with a stationary compressed air supply pipe or conduit S, whereby the ladle and mold are free to' turn without disturbing the connections with the compressed air supply.

and connecting the same as well as the interior ofthe ladle and the mold with the compressed air supply, both the interior and exterior of the ladle are subjected to the same pressure, thereby preventing the molten metal from being forced outwardly through any leaks in the ladle which otherwise would occur if the air pressure were applied only to the interior of the ladle inasmuch as it is practically impossible to construct a ladle of refractory material which will not leak under the high air pressure to which the same is subjected while casting. Such leakage, if permitted, would not only be dangerous for the operator but would also result in waste of material and fuel. Furthermore, this balancing or neutralizing of the pressure on the interior and exterior of the ladle permits of using a much higher pressure than has been possible in the machines as heretofore constructmetal sets or hardens, whereby more perfect castings are obtained. This air pressure is cut off while the mold containing the casting is withdrawn from the ladle and being emptied and when the mold is replaced on the ladle ready for filling the air pressure is again turned on. While the air pressure is turned off and the mold is removed from the mouth or nozzle of the ladle the gas or fuel escapes freely from the burner and delivers a flame of maximum heating capacity into the ladle which maintains the metal therein in a molten condition and at an extraordinarily high temperature. Upon securing the mold over the outlet of the ladle and turning on the compressed air, the back pressure of the same By providing the space around the ladle pressed air and opens again when the compressed air supply is cut off. The cessation of the back pressure in the fuel supply conduit permits the check valve therein to be again opened by the pressure of the fuel supply, the instant the fuel again enters the ladle the intense heat therein re-ignites the fuel and the flame is restored for continuing the heating of the metal in the ladle.

It is preferable to automatically turn on the pressure medium preparatory to lowering the mold and ladle for pouring castings and off when these parts are raised preparatory to emptying the mold. Various means may be employed for accomplishing this result but the means shown in the drawings are suitable and are constructed as fol-- lows :T represents a valve arranged in the pressure pipe between the rotatable coupling and the ladle and adapted'to permit of closing or opening this conduit. This valve is preferably of the gate type the gate at of which is moved transversely in the casing t so as to open and close the port of the valve by means of a rock arm t which is connected with the inner end of a-rock shaft i journaled on the valve casing, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. At its outer end the valve rock shaft is provided with an upwardly projecting operating arm U which is provided at its upper or free end with a catch u, adapted to engage with a shoulder or opening win the upper part of a stationary bracket V for holding the operating arm in its foremost position and closing the valve gate t while the ladle and mold are turned upwardly and the metal is being heated. This catch is preferably constructed in the form of a rod or pin which is guided in a pocket u in the operating arm and is yieldingly held in its elevated position in which it projects with its upper end beyond the upper end of the operating arm by means of a spring u surrounding this rod and bearing at its opposite ends against the bottom of said socketand a collar or shoulder a on the catch rod.

Said collar also serves as a stop which limits the upward or projecting movement of the catch a by engaging with a screw plug u secured in the upper end of the operating arm and forming a guide for the catch rod, as shown in Fig. 2. While the catch at is in engagement with the shoulder u it is constantly subjected to a pressure which tends to turn the same rearwardly or in a directionin which it opens the gate valve t. This tendency of the valve operating arm U is produced by a spring a which connects the upper end of the valve operating arm with the rear part of the bracket V, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The rearward movement of the valve operating arm is preferably limited by means of a stop 0 W represents a releasing rod or pin which is guided in the upper part of the bracket V with its lower end opposite the shoulder or opening u while its upper end projects above the bracket. This releasing rod is normally held yieldingly in an elevated inoperative position by a spring to surrounding the releasing rod within a pocket W in the bracket V and bearing at its upper end against a collar w on the releasing rod while its lower end bears against a screw plug Q02 which forms the bottom of the pocket WW and also contains the. opening u which receives the opposing ends of the catch rod and releasingrod. The collar 10 by engaging the top of the pocket W serves as a stop for limiting the upward movement of the releasing rod under the action of its spring w.

X represents a trip cam which moves bodily with the ladle and which at the end of the return or upward movement of the ladle operates to shift the releasing rod and effect the opening of the compressed air valve. This cam is also adjustably supported, so that the time at which the compressed air valveis opened may be varied in accordance with the amount of metal which is in the ladle or the quantity of metal which is withdrawn from the ladle during each casting operation. The preferred means for thus mounting the cams are shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 7 and are constructed as follows m represents an adjusting segment or curved bar which is arranged concentrically with the axis about which the ladle rotates and which is operatively connected with the ladle so as'to turn therewith by means of a bracket the opposite ends of the adjusting segment.

On this segment is mounted for concentric adjustment a slide m which embraces the segment and may be held'in place at different points on the segment by means of a catch x pivoted on the slide and adapted to be heldby a spring m yieldingly in engagement with one of a concentric row of teeth on the segment, as shown in Fig. 1. To the side of the slide the cam X is pivoted, so as to be capable of turning vertically and so that its path intersects the upper end of the releasing rod.

During its backward or return movement, the trip cam is rigid so that when the same engages the upper end of the releasing rod the latter will be depressed but during the forward movement of this cam with the ladle the trip cam upon engaging the releasing rod will be deflected and not affect thelatter. For this purpose the trip cam is yieldingly held against a fixed stop or shoulder w on the slide by means of a spring a connecting the cam and slide, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon releasing the catch m the slide :0 and trip cam may be shifted to any desired part of the segment and then held there by engaging the catch :0 with the ad j acent teeth of the segment.

1n the position of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ladle andmold have been turned backwardly sufiiciently to bring the level of the metal in the ladle below the outlet nozzle of the latter and the operating arm of the pressure valve has been moved forwardly and locked in this position by its catch u, so as to hold the pressure valve in its closed position. While the parts are in this position the mold maybe removed from the ladle and emptied of the castings therein and then replaced against the ladle. Assuming that as shown in Fig.1 theempty mold has just been replaced on the ladle. The operator now first completes the backward or return movement of the ladle and in doing so causes the trip cam to engage the upper end of the releasing rod and depress the same so that it disengagesthe catch of the pressure valve operating arm from the upper partof thebracket V. The instant this occurs, the spring 0 draws the pressure valve arm backwardly and automatically opens the pressure valve, whereby the compressed air is admitted to ladle and mold. The ladle and mold are now turned forwardly so that the metal flows from the ladle into the mold and as the metal at this time is under the pressure of the compressed air the metal will be forced instantly and with a high pressure into the cavities of the mold, whereby all parts of these cavities will be properly filled and perfect castings are produced rapidly and economically. After the pouring of the metal into the mold has been thus eifected, the ladle and connecting parts are again turned backwardly suf-v ficiently to bring the level of the molten metal in the ladle below the outlet of the same and then the operator draws the pres- I sure valve operating arm U forwardly until its catch u interlocks automatically w1th the shoulder u and holds the pressure valve in its closed position, thereby cutting oil the pressure from the ladle and mold and permitting the latter to be removed from the ladle, emptied and replaced.

The upper part of; the bracket V is provided with a beveled or curved face '0 which is engaged by the upper end of the catch it during the forward movement 'of the pressure valve arm U. and whereby said .catchis retracted and guided to the opening u for engaging with the same.

To facilitate the entrance of the metal into the mold cavities and permit of filling these has commenced, thereby insuringiperfect castings. For this purpose an air exhausting device is provided which is preferably controlled by automatic means and constructed as follows z-y represents a main exhaust pipe or conduit which is preferably secured to the front side of the lower mold section and connected at its rear or inlet end by a plurality of'branch passages 3 with each of the mold cavities while its front end is connected by a flexible hose or otherwise with an air exhausting device such as an air pump. The main exhaust pipe is provided with a valve 3 preferably of the type having a rotatable plug y. Upon opening the valvefg the air is exhausted from the cavities of the mold in advance of the metal which together with the air pressure in rear of the metal causes the same to be delivered into the-mold cavities in the quickest possible time. The means for opening and closing the exhaust valve automatically comprise a gear segment 2 secured to the stem 2 of the exhaust valve and a gear rack Z meshing with the gear segment and connected by a universal joint or swivel 2 with a stationary part of the machine such as the lower part of the frame head, as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 7. As the mold is moved downwardly by the operator the gear rack by engaging the gear segment turns the exhaust valve, so as to connect the mold cavities with the exhaust device as the metal is entering the mold and when the mold is raised after the pouring or casting has been completed the gear rack and segment cause the exhaust valve to be turned'in the oppo site direction and closed. The gear rack is held in engagement with the gear segment but is permitted to shift its position angularly relatively to the same by means of a hanger e pivoted on the stem of the exhaust valve and embracing the gear rack.

As'the exhaust valve is moved upwardly and downwardly with the mold and other parts and also laterally as the mold is swung away from the ladle, thegear rack follows the movements of'the exhaust valve and its and 5, so as to permit of lengthening or shortening this gear rack.

The fulcrum status which the ladle, mold and other parts turn" vertically during'th'e pouring or casting operation is preferably so located that the weight on horizontally opposite sides of this fulcrum is balanced or practically so. For this reason the turn nionsof-the ladle are located slightly in front of the central part of theladle, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5.

Iclaim as my invention:

1. A pressure casting machine comprising a mold, a closed tiltable melting pot or ladle having an outlet through which the molten material is transferred from the pot or ladle to said mold, and means for exerting pressure on the interior and exterior of the pot let and adapted to be tilted for pouring the metal through said outlet, a mold adapted to be connected with the outlet of the pot or ladle for receiving the molten material therefrom, and a pressure jacket inclosing said pot or ladle.

' 4. A pressure casting machine comprising a closed melting pot or ladle having an outlet and adapted to be tilted for pouring the metal through said outlet, a mold adapted to be connected with the outlet of the pot or ladle for receiving the molten material therefrom, and a pressure jacket inclosing said pot or ladle and communicating with the interior of the latter.

p 5. A pressure casting machine comprising a hollow spherical melting pot or ladle having an outlet nozzle for themolten material, a spherical pressure jacket inclosing said pot or ladle and communicating with the interior thereof through an opening in the upper side of said nozzle, and a mold adapted to be connected with said outlet and to receive the molten material therefrom.

6. A pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot or ladle having an outlet for the material to be cast, a mold adapted to be connected with said outlet and to receive the molten material there through,

a pressure jacket surrounding the pot or ladle and communicating with the interior thereof, and means for mounting the pot ladle for vertical rotation.

7. A pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot, or ladle having an,

outlet for the material to be cast, a mold adapted to be connected with said outlet and to receive the'molten material there through,

a pressure jacket surrounding the pot'or ladle and communicating with the interior thereof, and means for mounting the pot ladle for vertical rotation comprising horizontal 'trunnions arranged on opposite sides of the jacket and hearings in I which said trunnlons are 3ournaled.

8. A pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot or ladle having an outlet at one side, a burner arranged in the 'top of the pot or ladle, means whereby said potor ladle is mounted for vertical rotation, a'mold adapted to be connected with said outlet, and means for exerting pressure within the pot or ladle.

9. A pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot or ladle having an outlet, means for mounting said pot or ladle for vertical rotation, a mold adapted to be connected with said outlet, and a support for said mold rotatable with the pot or ladle and also movable toward and from said outlet.'

10. A pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot or ladle having an outlet, means for mounting said pot or ladle for vertical rotation, a mold adapted:

to be connected with said outlet, a support for said mold rotatable with the pot or ladle and also movable toward and from said outlet, and means for preming said mold toward said outlet. i

11. A' pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot or ladle having an outlet, at face plate arranged on said pot around the outlet thereof, a mold adapted to receive the material from said pot, and a mold face plate having a passage for directing the material from said outlet to said mold and adapted to bear against the face plate on said pot.

12. A pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot or ladle having an outlet, a face plate arranged on said pot aroundthe outlet thereof, a. mold adapted to receive the material from saidpot, -a mold face plate having a passage for directingthe material from said outlet to said mold and adapted to bear against the faceplate on said pot, means whereby said pot is mounted for vertical rotation comprising horizontal trun-' nions arranged on" opposite sides of the pot and hearings on which said trunnions are journaled, and a rock arm pivotally connected with one of said trunnions and supporting said mold and its face plate.

13. A pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot orladle having an outlet and adapted to be tilted for pouring the metal through said outlet, a face plate arranged on said pot around the'outlet thereof, a mold adapted to receive the material from said pot, a mold face plate having a passage for directin the material from said outlet to said mold and adapted to bear against the face plate on said pot, and a clamping device for pressing the mold plate against the face plate on said pct.

14. A pressure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot or ladle having an outlet, a face plate arranged on said pot around the outlet thereof, a mold adapted to receive the material from said ot, a mold face plate having a passage for material from said outlet to said mold and adapted to bear against the face plate on said pot and a clamping device for pressing the mold face plate against the face plate on said pot comprising a yoke p-ivotally connected with said pot toturn vertically rela- I ,tively thereto, a follower mounted on the yoke and adapted to bear against the mold", and a cam mounted on the yoke and adapted to engage with the follower.

151A prewure casting machine comprising an inclosed melting pot or ladle having an outlet, a face plate arranged on said pot around the outlet thereof, a mold adapted to receive the material from said pot, a mold face plate having a passage for directing the material from said outlet to said mold and adapted to bear against the face plate on said pot, and a clamping device for pressing the mold face plate against the face plate on said pot comprising a yoke pivotally connected with said pot to turn vertically rela- 7 ti vely thereto, a follower guided on said yoke and having two sections which are adjustably connected and one of which bears against the mold, and a cam mounted on the yoke and bearing against the other section.

16. A' pressure casting machine com-prising a pot or ladle having an outlet which is adapted to be connected with a mold, means for tilting said pot for transferring the material from said pot to the mold, and means for exerting a pressure within the pot com,- prising a compressed air conduit which has a part arranged concentrically relatively to the axis of rotation of said pot 17. A pressure'casting machine comprising a pot or ladle having an outlet which is adapted to be connected with a mold, means for tilting said pot for transferring the material from said pot to the mold comprising horizontal trunnions which are arranged on opposite sides of the pot and one of which is hollow, and means for exerting pressure on the interior of said sure jacket surroundmg said potand separated therefrom by a space which communicafes with said hollow trunnion and with the interior of the pot, and a compressed air conduit having a fixed section, a movable section arranged concentrically with said pot and communicating with saidhollow trunnion and a rotatable coupling connecting said fixed and movable conduit sections.

18. A pressure casting machine com-prisrecting the pot comprising a pres-.

tilting said potfor transferring the material from said pot to the mold, a conduit for supplying a pressure medium into said pot, and automatic means for opening said conduit preparatory to the casting operation.

' 19. A pressure casting machine comprising a potor ladle having an outlet which is adapted to be connected with a mold, means for tilting said pot for-transferring the material from said pot tonthe mold, a conduit for supplying a prewure medium to said pot,

a valve 'for controlling said conduit, and

means for closing said valve by hand after the casting operation and opening the same automatically preparatory to the casting op ing said armand opening said valve, a catch arranged on said'arm and adapted to engage with a shoulder for holding said arm in the position in which the valve is closed,

' a releasing member adapted to disengage said catch, and a trip cam which moves bodily with the pot and which is adapted to shift said releaslng member.

. 21. A pressure casting machine comprising a pot or ladle having an outlet which is adapted to be connected with a mold, meanstilting said pot fortransferring the material from said pot to the mold, a conduit for supplying a pressure medium to said pot, a valve for controlling said conduit, and means for closing said valve by hand after the casting operation and opening the same automatically preparatory to the casting operation comprising an operating rock arm connected with said valve, a spring for turning said arm and opening said valve, a catch arranged on said arm and adapted to "engage with a shoulder for holding said arm in the position in which the valve is closed, a releasing member adapted to disengage said catch, a trip cam which moves bodily with the pot and which is adapted to shift said releasing member, and means for mounting said trip cam so that it is rigid in one direction and yielding in the other.

22. A pressure casting machine comprising a pot or ladle having an outlet which is adapted to be connected with a mold, means for tilting said pot for transferring the mag a pot or ladle having anoutlet which is adapted to be connected with a mold, means terial from said pot to the mold, a conduit for supplying a pressure medium to. said pot, a valve for controlling said conduit, and. means for closing said valve by hand after the casting operation and opening the same automatically preparatory to the casting operation comprising an operating rock arm connected with said valve, a spring for turning said arm and opening said valve, a

catch arranged on said arm and adapted to in one direction and yielding in the other and comprising a pivotal support for the cam on the pot, a stop on said support which limits the movement of the cam in one direction, and a spring whereby the cam is yieldingly held in engagement with the stop.

23. A pressure casting machine comprising a pot or ladle having an outlet which is adapted to be connected with avmold, means for tilting said pot for transferring the material from said pot to the mold, means for exerting pressure within the pot comprising a compressed air conduit communicating with the interior of the pot, a valve controlling said conduit, and' means for oper-' ating said valve by the movement of said pot comprising means for holding said valve in a closed position, a trip cam, for;

comprising a gear segment connected with releasing said holding means, and means adjustably connecting said cam with said pot.

ing a pot or ladle having an outlet which adapted to be connected with a mold, means tilting said pot for transferring the material from said pot to the mold, means for exerting pressure within the pot comprising a compressed air conduit communicating with the interior of the pot,'a valve controlling said conduit, and means for operating said valve by. the movement of said pot comprising means for holding said valve in a closed position, a trip cam for releasing said holding means, and means adjustably connecting said cam with said pot comprising a toothed segment arranged concentrically relatively to the axis of the pot and turning therewith, a slide mounted on said segment and carrying said cam, and a" catch arranged on said slide and adapted to engage with said teeth.

24. A pressure casting machinecompris 25. A- pressure casting machine having a tiltable pot or ladle provided with an outlet, a-mold adapted to be connected with said outlet and having its mold cavities connected with an exhaust conduit, and a valve arranged in said conduit.

26. A pressure casting machine having a tiltable pot or ladle provided with an outlet, a mold adapted to be connected. with said outlet and having its mold cavities connectedwith an exhaust conduit, a valve arranged in said conduit, and means for antomatically opening and closingsaid valve as the potand mold are tilted in opposite directions.

27. A pressure casting machine havihg a tiltable pot or ladle provided with an outlet, a mold adapted to be connected with said outlet and having its mold cavities connected with an exhaust conduit, a valve arranged in said conduit,and means for automatically opening and closing said valve as the pot and mold are tilted in opposite directions comprising a gear segment connected with the rotatable plug of said valve, and a gear rack meshing with said segment and connected with a stationary part.

28. A pressure casting machine having a tiltable pot or ladle provided with an outlet, a mold adapted to be connected with said outlet and having its mold cavities connected with an exhaust conduit, a valve arranged in said conduit, a transversely swinging ,arm pivotally connected with said pot and carrying said mold, and means for automatically opening and closing said valve frame, a melting pot mounted therein so as to be movable to and from a die-casting position and having a metal outlet nozzle,

means for securing a die on the nozzle, and means operated by the-movement of the pot to the-die-casting position for introducing gaseous fluid under pressure into the pot for forcing the metal into the die.

Witness my hand this 16th day of March,

CHRISTOPHER H. BIERBAUM. Witnesses:

THEO. L. POPP, ANNA Harem. 

